MBBS (1985), Fellow of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (2000)

Dr Shane Higgins is one of the three original obstetricians who established Arrivals. After practising as an obstetrician for more than 13 years, Shane said he still counts as one of his career highlights the achievement of passing his specialist exams and being elevated to Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists – not for the prestige, but “because achieving my Fellow allowed me to use my specialist skills to enable safe deliveries for the women I care for”.

Shane, what do you remember about delivering your first baby? When was this?

I delivered my first baby in 1985 as a final year medical student. The pleasure and privilege still hasn’t worn off 28 years later.

How many babies have you delivered to date?

More than 4000.

Why did you become a doctor?

I had always enjoyed science and the study of the human body in high school, which led me onto medicine at the University of Queensland.

Why did you choose obstetrics as your specialty?

I have always enjoyed the combination of medicine and surgery in obstetrics. More than that, though, I am very aware of the honour and trust given to me by women in pregnancy and labour. I am passionate about empowering women during pregnancy and being active in facilitating a safe delivery for mother and baby.

What about your work gives you the greatest satisfaction?

Placing a newborn baby on their mother’s chest in a good and healthy condition.

Is there a specialty area within obstetrics that you offer?

I also do IVF at QFG and help couples conceive. It gives me great pleasure to provide antenatal care and delivery of my IVF patients at Arrivals.

What’s the best advice you can give one of your patients?

Most of the time, all goes well. So believe in yourself that you have the ability to achieve a normal birth.

What do you hope your patients remember about you, long after the pregnancy and birth?

I hope that my patients remember that I made their birth experience a more informed, pleasant and safe one due to the care that I provided them.

What’s a good day at work for you?

A good day means I’m interacting with my patients and making sure everything is progressing well in their pregnancy. It’s also achieving daily goals. Placing a newborn baby on a mothers’ chest. Informing my IVF patients that they are pregnant.

When you’re not at work, what do you enjoy doing the most?

I enjoy spending time off with my wife, Ciara, and our adult daughters – Roisin and Bridget. We especially like dining out together. I like spending time in the country to relax, and I enjoy cooking and going to sporting events.

GET INVOLVED

LEARN . INSPIRE . ENJOY

Keeping pregnant mums and new babies cool

Brisbane is known for its humid weather, and while luckily it's not quite as unpredictable as some neighbouring southern states, can still pack an unexpected punch in the heat department. Most people who live in Brisbane have learnt of ways to cope when the heat index becomes less bearable, but carrying an inbuilt heater inside while pregnant, or indeed feeding and comforting a new baby who is also feeling the heat, adds a whole new dimension to uncomfortable...read more

Breastfeeding Support

Many women know and understand the benefits of breastfeeding and during pregnancy have strong intentions to breastfeed their baby. The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, with ongoing breast milk consumption to 12 months, and indeed proven benefits up to two years of age. ..read more

Does my baby need water?

It is one of the most common questions we hear as midwives – and the answer is simple - this might be the shortest blog I’ve ever written;..read more